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Florida lawmakers debate school vouchers, concealed weapons

Legislative Roundup

The Florida House rejected a proposal to require students who use private school vouchers to take the same tests given to students in public schools.

The House voted 66-44 Wednesday against the proposal offered by Rep. Karen Castor Dentel. The Maitland Democrat is a public school teacher. She wanted to add the requirement to a bill that would expand a program that now helps low-income children attend private schools.

Dentel argued that taxpayers should know whether vouchers are helping students in private school. Florida’s voucher program uses tax money to allow students to attend private schools.

House Republicans argued that it would not be fair to require private schools to administer the tests since some of their students are not receiving vouchers.

HOUSE VOTE FRIDAY ON CONCEALED WEAPONS

During debate Wednesday, sponsor Rep. Heather Dawes Fitzenhagen, R-Fort Myers, said HB 209 extends carry-and-conceal privileges to those fleeing during a mandatory evacuation declared by the governor or local officials.

Otherwise, everyone must be in compliance with all laws, including having the right to be in possession of a firearm.

Rep. Kionne McGhee, D-Miami, pointed out that the bill does not declare that other laws prevail, including one that forbids taking a gun to a school, which often operate as emergency shelters.

The Florida Sheriff’s Association does not support the legislation. Jacksonville Sheriff John Rutherford told a Senate committee Tuesday that officers need guidelines as to what qualifies as being in the act of complying with the ordered evacuation.

The Senate version (SB 296) has to clear one more committee before being heard on the floor.

BUDGET PASSAGE ON HOLD

Budget negotiations will resume after lawmakers return after taking next week off for the Passover and Easter holidays, Senate President Don Gaetz, R-Niceville, said Wednesday.

Lawmakers have until April 29 to approve the budget, likely to be about the $75 billion in the different Senate and House bills.

THRASHER’S STRONG FUND-RAISING

Barred from raising campaign cash during the legislative session, Sen. John Thrasher, R-St. Augustine, still raised raised $31,250 in the few available days last month, increasing his overall total to $252,050, according to newly filed reports. Political candidates and committees face a Thursday deadline for filing updated finance reports.